Joseph Koo


Joseph Koo Kar-Fai was a Hong Kong composer. He used the pen name Moran for Mandarin songs early in his career. According to the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, Koo was one of the most respected composers in Hong Kong.

Early life

Koo was born in Canton, China and migrated with his family to Hong Kong in 1948.
Koo had two siblings: an elder sister, Hong Kong singer and painter Koo Mei and a younger brother, Koo Kar-Tseung.
Koo began learning music at age 17 by taking piano lessons from a Filipino music teacher, who was already giving singing lessons to Koo's sister.

Career

Koo was sponsored by Sir Run Run Shaw to attend the Berklee College of Music in Boston in the early 1960s. Upon graduation he returned to Hong Kong and worked for both the Shaw Brothers and Golden Harvest movie studios, scoring, among others, the Bruce Lee films Fist of Fury and The Way of the Dragon in 1972.
Koo joined TVB as their director of music in 1973, where from the late 1970s until immigrating to Canada in the 1990s, he collaborated with the lyricist Wong Jim on many memorable TV theme songs. Koo has composed over 1,200 songs in his career, many of which are. He only has 2 notable works as a lyricist, both very short in length and total number of words. One was a children's song about the ten numbers, the other was the ending 'Goodnight' jingle for Enjoy Yourself Tonight. These two little-known facts were revealed by James Wong in 1998 during a concert dedicated to both Koo and him.
In 1961, he composed his first published song "Dream", which was sung by his sister Koo Mei. He later had another hit song "Suburban Road" 郊道. In 1974, he wrote the first Cantonese TV theme song which was one of the first popular Cantopop songs.
Koo was appointed Member of Order of the British Empire in 1982. In 1998, he received the Bronze Bauhinia Star from the Hong Kong Government. He also received other awards including Music Accomplishment Award, Highest Honour Award, Best Music Award and Best Lyric Award, Hong Kong Film Awards, Taiwan's Golden Horse Film Festival and Awards.
Koo immigrated to Canada in the 1990s but continued his work in Hong Kong music. In 2007, he wrote the theme song for The Drive of Life, a drama produced by TVB to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Hong Kong handover.
In 2012 from 30 November to 3 December, he held a concert titled "Joseph Koo Concert 2012" at the Hong Kong Coliseum, which featured many singers including Adam Cheng, George Lam, Teresa Cheung, and Anthony Wong. In 2015, he announced his retirement as a conductor, and that he would significantly reduce his musical works and become an oil painter like his sister.
Koo died in Richmond, Canada on 3 January 2023, at age 91. Joseph's son, Koo Chi Ho, revealed that he had suffered symptoms and complications of COVID-19 and decreased appetite and energy weeks before his death. He was otherwise fit and healthy beforehand.

Selected compositions

  • Dream
  • The Legend of the Book and Sword, theme song from TV series The Legend of the Book and Sword
  • Hotel, theme song from TV series Hotel
  • The Legend of the Heroic Knights
  • Luk Siu Fung, theme song from TV series Luk Siu Fung
  • The Great Vendetta, theme song from TV series The Great Vendetta
  • A House Is Not a Home, theme song from TV series A House Is Not a Home
  • Decisive Battle Eve, theme song from TV series Luk Siu Fung II
  • Vanity Fair, theme song from TV series Vanity Fair
  • The Romantic Swordsman, theme song from TV series The Romantic Swordsman
  • Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre, theme song from TV series Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre
  • The Flaming Ceremonial Fire, sub theme song from TV series Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre
  • The Giants, theme song from TV series The Giants
  • The Oath Must Enter the Mountain of Sword, theme song from TV series Luk Siu Fung III
  • Not Sentiments
  • Conflict, theme song from TV series Conflict
  • Game of Death, theme song from the movie Game of Death
  • Below the Lion Rock
  • Over the Rainbow, theme song from TV series Over the Rainbow
  • The Passenger, theme song from TV series The Passenger
  • Chor Lau Heung, theme song from TV series Chor Lau Heung
  • The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, theme song from TV series The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
  • The Heroes of Man and Sea
  • 春雨彎刀, theme song from TV series God of Sabre
  • Wind and Clouds, theme song from TV series This Land is Mine
  • Leaves Depart From the Tear Hard to Endure, theme song from TV series In Search of
  • The Bund of Shanghai, theme song from TV series The Bund, performed by Frances Yip
  • The Brothers, theme song from TV series The Brothers
  • The Discovery Bay, theme song from TV series The Discovery Bay
  • The Invincible Medic, theme song from TV series The Invincible Medic
  • Five Easy Pieces, theme song from TV series Five Easy Pieces
  • All Kind Sentiments, theme song from TV series The Bund II
  • Eunuch, theme song from TV series Eunuch
  • The Adventurer's, theme song from TV series The Adventurer's
  • The Sentimental Debts, sub theme song from TV series The Adventurer's
  • Shanghai Beach of the Dragon Tiger Battle, theme song from TV series The Bund III
  • Famous Sword
  • Using Love to Steal a Heart, theme song from TV series The Shell Game
  • Personhood Loves Freedom, theme song from TV series The Misadventure of Zoo
  • Cheers, sub theme song from TV series The Misadventure of Zoo
  • In Love and War, theme song from TV series In Love and War
  • Both are forgotten in the mist, theme song from TV series Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils I
  • Breath and Depths of Mountains and Waters, theme song from TV series Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils II , performed by Susanna Kwan
  • Forgets With All One's Heart the Sentiment, theme song from TV series The Legend of Master So
  • Heart Debt, theme song from TV series Soldier of Fortune, performed by Anita Mui
  • Being at a High Game, theme song from TV series The Emissary
  • Approaches the Upstream Silently
  • Iron Blood Loyal Heart, theme song from TV series The Legend of the Condor Heroes, 1983. Sung by Roman Tam and Jenny Tseng
  • Meaningful Life, theme song from TV series The Legend of the Condor Heroes, 1983. Sung by Roman Tam and Jenny Tseng
  • Say Hello to the World, theme song from TV series The Legend of the Condor Heroes, 1983. Sung by Roman Tam and Jenny Tseng
  • When Will We Meet Again, theme song from TV series The Return of the Condor Heroes
  • Keeping Today's Romance, insert theme from TV series The Return of the Condor Heroes
  • The Strong Bond of the Two Hearts, insert theme from TV series The Return of the Condor Heroes
  • You're the One Who Decides to Love, theme song from TV series The Radio Tycoon
  • Heroine, theme song from TV series The Legend of the Unknowns
  • Hands Over My Heart, theme song from TV series Woman on the Beat
  • Descendants of the Yellow Emperor, theme song from the movie Zu Warriors from the Magic Mountain
  • TVB News Theme
  • Brave and Fearless, theme song from TV series The Return of Wong Fei Hung
  • A Ray of Love, insert theme from TV series The Return of Wong Fei Hung
  • The Demon Region Paradise, theme song from TV series The Other Side of the Horizon
  • In Dream Several Sorrow, theme song from TV series The Foundation
  • I Cannot See My Tears Flow, sub theme song from TV series The Foundation
  • It Will Be Throughout Lucky, theme song from TV series The Duke of Mount Deer
  • Sentimental Cold Lust, theme song from TV series Sword Stained with Royal Blood
  • Brave and Invincible, theme song from TV series The Yang's Saga
  • Me and You, He and Me, theme song from TV series The Rough Ride
  • The Song of Chu, theme song from TV series The Battlefield
  • The Flying Fox of the Snowy Mountains, theme song from TV series The Flying Fox of the Snowy Mountains
  • TVB Cares Song
  • Weave Beautiful Dreams, theme song from TV series Heir to the Throne Is...
  • In the Sentimental Past, theme song from the movie A Better Tomorrow
  • Leaves Behind My Fond Dream, theme song from TV series The Return of Luk Siu Fung
  • Holds Up the Head to Sing to the Day
  • The Illumination of a Thousand World, theme song from TV series The Legend of Wong Tai Sin
  • Passing With the Wind, sub theme song from TV series The Legend of Wong Tai Sin
  • Will Rush Toward Future Day, theme song from the movie A Better Tomorrow II
  • The Infinite Journey, theme song from TV series The Price of Growing Up
  • Still the Heart Was Thinking You, sub theme song from TV series The Price of Growing Up
  • The Humanity's Mistake, theme song from TV series Born to Be a King
  • Youth Heart, sub theme song from TV series Born to Be a King
  • Hu Han Dream, theme song from TV series The Legend of the Book and Sword
  • The Chrysanthemum Tears, theme song from TV series Deadly Secret
  • Small Boat Lover
  • Wild Rose
  • The Special Express
  • Heart of Fire
  • Young Heartless, theme song from TV series The God's of Demons of Zu Mountain
  • Does Not Hope Again Tangled Up, sub theme song from TV series The God's of Demons of Zu Mountain
  • Long Flow, Not Rest
  • The Buddhism Palm Strikes Back, theme song from TV series The Buddhism Palm Strikes Back
  • Detains the Fall Scenery, sub theme song from TV series The Buddhism Palm Strikes Back
  • The Life Isn't to Drunk Awakenings, theme song from TV series The Condor Heroes Returns
  • To Die, To A Unique Skill, theme song from TV series The Legend of the Condor Heroes
  • Difficult Even Agreement, theme song from TV series Against the Blade of Honour
  • You Come to My Next Full Moon, sub theme song from TV series Against the Blade of Honour
  • Splendid Story, theme song from TV series Corner the Con Man
  • Has You Rarely, theme song from TV series Corner the Con Man
  • Top of the Head, One Piece of the Day
  • The Cool Breeze Does Not Dye, theme song from TV series Justice Sung II
  • The Wine of Mellow Shade, theme song from TV series Country Spirit
  • The Immortal of the Water Center, theme song from TV series Where the Legend Begins
  • Beautiful Fate, theme song from TV series Better-halves
  • The Sky is Blue, theme song from TV series Drive of Life
  • Glory Mark